India said: "Transsexual people with gender dysphoria have suffered over the years — a lot of laughter. I know it’s not meant that way — that people who perform drag don’t do it intentionally...

"Probably like in the old days when the black and white minstrels used to put on a show and everyone would laugh and cheer and it was the top rated show in the country", she said while motioning towards John Barnes and Ginuwine.

"But obviously, you know, black people would find that offensive", she added.

Blackface is a form of theatrical make-up used mainly by non-black performers to represent a black person used predominantly during the 19th century, and which contributed to the spread of racial stereotypes.

September 1931: Minstrel show performers Alexander and Mose. [Getty]

The Black and White Minstrel Show was an entertainment show that ran on BBC television from 1958 to 1978 which featured songs and dances performed in blackface, and with lavish costumes.

The show was seen as offensive on account of its use of blackface, and a petition against it was received by the BBC in 1967.